West Indies came close to having a very good day in Port-of-Spain but finished on the verge of conceding a significant first-innings lead to Australia. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who fell six short of another hundred, and Narsingh Deonarine added 130 for the fifth wicket before Nathan Lyon broke the resistance then swept through the lower order with the second five-wicket haul of his career to leave West Indies trailing by 59 and the last pair together.

Nothing appeared more certain than Chanderpaul reaching his 26th Test century, and second of the series, after another masterful display of defiance but he was pinned lbw by Lyon from around the wicket - the fifth such decision of the innings. Opposition teams expend huge energy trying to shift Chanderpaul, but know there are likely to be some easier rewards once he has gone. To make the timing even worse for West Indies, two overs earlier Deonarine's excellent supporting hand had also been ended when, with his first ball back into the attack, Lyon drew him down the pitch and Matthew Wade showed the importance of having a tidy wicketkeeper.

Lyon had be brought back to the bowling crease with the second new-ball only seven overs after Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson had not made the most of it. He waited until his 21st over for a wicket but a bowlers' lot can change in a flash. Darren Sammy, in an attempt to repeat his breezy first innings in Barbados, picked out long-on and Shane Shillingford added to his opposite number's success when he got an inside edge that was superbly held by Ed Cowan at short leg. Lyon's fifth wicket came when Kemar Roach was given caught down the leg side although Wade was more interested in the stumping opportunity. Australia's new keeper was impressive in tough conditions, not conceding a bye in 104 overs.

Smart stats

Shivnarine Chanderpaul followed up his century in Barbados with 94 in the first innings in Trinidad. He has now scored 908 runs in eight home Tests against Australia at an average of 82.54 with five centuries.

Chanderpaul's dismissal was only the third in the nineties in his career. It is the fifth time in a Trinidad Test against Australia that a West Indian batsman has fallen in the nineties.

The 130-run stand between Chanderpaul and Narsingh Deonarine is the highest fifth-wicket stand for West Indies against Australia in Tests in Trinidad and seventh on the list of top fifth-wicket stands for West Indies against Australia.

Nathan Lyon's 5 for 68 is his second five-wicket haul in Tests after his five-for on debut against Sri Lanka in Galle. It is the first five-for for an Australian spinner against West Indies since 2005.

From 230 for 4, West Indies lost five wickets for the addition of just 19 runs. The number of runs scored (19) is fifth on the list of lowest aggregates for West Indies against Australia between wickets six to nine

The overall run-rate in the match presently (2.35) is the lowest ever for West Indies-Australia Tests since 1990 (min 200 overs bowled in first two innings).

The number of lbw dismissals in the West Indies innings (5) is joint-second on the list of most lbw dismissals in an innings for West Indies against Australia.

The top-five West Indian batsmen were dismissed leg before making it the first such occurrence in Tests.

The evening collapse of five for 19 in 12 overs was another example of West Indies not being able to sustain a performance for long enough to take control. The 44 overs that Chanderpaul and Deonarine combined (and the period when Darren Bravo was also at the crease) was another of those uplifting passages that West Indies are just managing to produce slightly more regularly. Chanderpaul's role came was no surprise but Deonarine showed application that was less well known, remaining calm as he reached 4 off 43 balls before beginning to expand his strokeplay either side of lunch.

Before Lyon's intervention Australia's only breakthrough had come from Michael Hussey as Michael Clarke again went through his book of captaincy tricks. On a surface gripping for medium-pacers Hussey, developing something of a golden-arm of late, and Shane Watson were tough to score off. Hussey produced a delivery that swung late to beat Bravo and take his back pad. Again, though, Bravo had given flashes of what makes him stand out as a batsman particularly his off-side driving.

Chanderpaul had been given a life on 8, off Lyon's bowling, when Clarke could not hold a thick edge at slip which came off Wade's pad. Alongside Deonarine he initially focused solely on survival - although Deonarine was inches from being run-out the ball before lunch - but at the start of the afternoon session Australia lost their way a little and the batsmen cashed in.

Pattinson struggled with his rhythm throughout the day and later left the field with back spasms after an awkward piece of fielding. His first over of then afternoon was taken for 16 by Chanderpaul which included three boundaries alongside two no-balls. Deonarine was not all defence, either, and a whip through midwicket off Lyon stood out before he launched David Warner over midwicket for six. Rain brought an early tea, but had not seemed to disrupt West Indies.

Chanderpaul brought up the 200 with another six, a slog-sweep off Michael Beer, and when Deonarine's third half-century arrived from 132 balls with a rasping cover drive thoughts were even turning to the potential of the hosts building a first-innings lead that would put the pressure back on Australia. Then, however, Test cricket showed that despite it being the longest format a strong position can unravel in the blink of an eye. And, for West Indies, it was a familiar feeling.

@zb - I'll try once more to respond. Re IPL - Didn't think any of you were jealous. Just find it laughable that some folk seem to say that if you're not showing interest it means you're jealous. Re Pattinson , agreed. Not convinced. Even in the India series he looked wild at times.Don't want to slate him in case he comes back to haunt me. Please publish ESPN

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 15:55 GMT

Lyon has done well surpassing my expectations with the ball this innings. I would still wait before deciding to bookmark him in the Aussie playing eleven in all Tests.

Srinivas
on April 18, 2012, 15:12 GMT

Wow! Just wow! What a test match! Enthralling! A complete roller-coaster! Test match cricket! Take a bow! Well bowled Lyon. Keep it up1 As usual Shiv, the most under-rated Rock of World Cricket, and not just West Indies Cricket, thanks to that genius Lara!

Michael
on April 18, 2012, 15:01 GMT

RandyOZ what rubbish are you saying!?!?! Warne and McGrath will never and I mean NEVER will be replaced! Especially by two young mediocre bowlers who have no experience. Not saying that they don't have potential because they do but its way too early to make such rash comparisons!

Ali
on April 18, 2012, 14:20 GMT

And Sammy drops ANOTHER catch in slip ...

hmm just like India,

when will they realize that he is a horrible slip fielder ....

this is what his 4th dropped catch IN slip in less than six months? (all standard, nothing difficult)

guys with over 100 Tests have not dropped than many .....

ilyas
on April 18, 2012, 13:49 GMT

Unbelieveable!!! I have tried to defend sammy and baugh over the last year as what came before was not moving the WI's forward but after watching yesterday and this morning i give up. As captain you need to lead from the front which does not involve giving catching practice 2nd ball when your side has lost a couple of quick wickets. Sammy may be ok for ODIs and T20 but not for Test cricket. As for Baugh, once he gets in he looks like a decent batsman but he does not have a batting brain. If you continually get out to the same shot then you should realise you cannot play it. It was dire watching him today! The only problem is that before him Ramdin was obsessed to the cut which kept getting him out too!! Are there no otherWicket keepers in the WI?!!!

Marcio
on April 18, 2012, 13:30 GMT

This could be very interesting. Still plenty of time for all three results. It is not hard to envisage Australia being bowled out in three sessions on this track, which means the WI would have a crack at victory on the last day. Anything more than 200 in unlikely, but as Chanderpaul showed, with a bit of grit runs can be had. It will all come down to pressure: and, I suspect, whether Warner Ts off. If he does, its game over.

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 12:32 GMT

@ Randy0Z wow what an great observation one great spell from Lyon and couple of good sereis with the ball from Pattisson had convinced you enough to label both of them as great as for suitable replacement of Warne and McGrath.Your comments always been terrible through out the face book column and now its seems to be another cracker of joke in the armoury.hoping for ur next comments as early as possible

Douglas
on April 18, 2012, 12:25 GMT

Chanderpaul - looking forward for the runometer to pass 10,000 test runs next innings. No pressure!

Douglas
on April 18, 2012, 12:20 GMT

Mr Gibson - Who is the part timer now? Deonarine or Samuels?

John
on April 18, 2012, 17:09 GMT

@zb - I'll try once more to respond. Re IPL - Didn't think any of you were jealous. Just find it laughable that some folk seem to say that if you're not showing interest it means you're jealous. Re Pattinson , agreed. Not convinced. Even in the India series he looked wild at times.Don't want to slate him in case he comes back to haunt me. Please publish ESPN

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 15:55 GMT

Lyon has done well surpassing my expectations with the ball this innings. I would still wait before deciding to bookmark him in the Aussie playing eleven in all Tests.

Srinivas
on April 18, 2012, 15:12 GMT

Wow! Just wow! What a test match! Enthralling! A complete roller-coaster! Test match cricket! Take a bow! Well bowled Lyon. Keep it up1 As usual Shiv, the most under-rated Rock of World Cricket, and not just West Indies Cricket, thanks to that genius Lara!

Michael
on April 18, 2012, 15:01 GMT

RandyOZ what rubbish are you saying!?!?! Warne and McGrath will never and I mean NEVER will be replaced! Especially by two young mediocre bowlers who have no experience. Not saying that they don't have potential because they do but its way too early to make such rash comparisons!

Ali
on April 18, 2012, 14:20 GMT

And Sammy drops ANOTHER catch in slip ...

hmm just like India,

when will they realize that he is a horrible slip fielder ....

this is what his 4th dropped catch IN slip in less than six months? (all standard, nothing difficult)

guys with over 100 Tests have not dropped than many .....

ilyas
on April 18, 2012, 13:49 GMT

Unbelieveable!!! I have tried to defend sammy and baugh over the last year as what came before was not moving the WI's forward but after watching yesterday and this morning i give up. As captain you need to lead from the front which does not involve giving catching practice 2nd ball when your side has lost a couple of quick wickets. Sammy may be ok for ODIs and T20 but not for Test cricket. As for Baugh, once he gets in he looks like a decent batsman but he does not have a batting brain. If you continually get out to the same shot then you should realise you cannot play it. It was dire watching him today! The only problem is that before him Ramdin was obsessed to the cut which kept getting him out too!! Are there no otherWicket keepers in the WI?!!!

Marcio
on April 18, 2012, 13:30 GMT

This could be very interesting. Still plenty of time for all three results. It is not hard to envisage Australia being bowled out in three sessions on this track, which means the WI would have a crack at victory on the last day. Anything more than 200 in unlikely, but as Chanderpaul showed, with a bit of grit runs can be had. It will all come down to pressure: and, I suspect, whether Warner Ts off. If he does, its game over.

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 12:32 GMT

@ Randy0Z wow what an great observation one great spell from Lyon and couple of good sereis with the ball from Pattisson had convinced you enough to label both of them as great as for suitable replacement of Warne and McGrath.Your comments always been terrible through out the face book column and now its seems to be another cracker of joke in the armoury.hoping for ur next comments as early as possible

Douglas
on April 18, 2012, 12:25 GMT

Chanderpaul - looking forward for the runometer to pass 10,000 test runs next innings. No pressure!

Douglas
on April 18, 2012, 12:20 GMT

Mr Gibson - Who is the part timer now? Deonarine or Samuels?

Allan
on April 18, 2012, 12:06 GMT

Based on what I have seen so far, the difference between the two teams lies in experience; but this is a far better WI team than the one that last visited Australia. I expect them to be even better when they visit again.

John
on April 18, 2012, 11:04 GMT

@ZB - re Randy0Z on (April 18 2012, 10:28 AM GMT) - definitely some sarcastic humour going on here although it's hard to tell with the original at times

Michael
on April 18, 2012, 10:36 GMT

WI have done it again haven't they? As a Aus/WI supporter, I don't really care who wins! Shiv has saved the Windies many times before and will have a giant role to play when we crush England xD (he'll have some help from Gayle) Can't wait to see Broad and Anderson be obliterated to every part of the ground!
Pattinson can be a bit wayward at times and hats off to Lyon for a great performance. Though it may be just because of WI's poor batting! Clarke and Hussey are the stability of that batting lineup, once they're out cheaply, Australia can be rolled over for 55 just like what happened to the Poms in 2008! :P
So May The Best Team Win!

John
on April 18, 2012, 10:28 GMT

Allot of rubbish being talked here. In Lyon & Pattinson, Austrailia finally have the direct replacements for Warne & McGrath. Long may their greatness continue!

Roo
on April 18, 2012, 9:29 GMT

@JG2704... I think if Rhino wasn't rested he would have performed much better than Pattinson on this pitch (agree with @Marcio comment on this)... Since watching Patto over the summer I have become less & less impressed with his attitude on the ground - no sure if it is a big ego without the experience but he lacks control with both his bowling & his emotions... I hope Starc gets a start next Test ahead of Pattinson if there's room in the team... Still, they are both young & will need to get more time in the middle to gain the experience that they need...

Roo
on April 18, 2012, 9:19 GMT

@JG2704... Read MisterObvious's comment - obviously Randy0Z is an England fan from comments so far - made comments on other stories as well... Re: IPL - jealousy?... No, I think there is only so much sport you can watch, then I lose interest... I do keep an interest in the tournament, but mainly due to the many Oz players in the comp... I really don't have the time to keep up with individual games & as I commented most games start around midnight so prefer the sleep...

StJohn
on April 18, 2012, 8:51 GMT

It's a pity that WI have, yet again, let themselves down - these collapses of 5 or so wickets for very few runs are too frequent and are making the difference between WI winning / controlling more matches and playing catch-up. Pity that Sammy batted so gaumlessly - he has the ability to be doing better as a batsman if he could apply himself and stop giving his wicket away. Trying to slog a quick 40 (as he often does) to augment an advantage is fine if WI are in the lead. But when WI were still behind and with little batting to come it was rather stupid. And playing yourself in is still worthwhile, even these days. Doh.

John
on April 18, 2012, 8:50 GMT

@RandyOz - You say "The superior bowling attacks of SA & Eng would be ripping through this WI batting line-up no problem " and then revert to type later.Quite amusing. Maybe WI would have resisted vs Eng or SA. Aus did well to pull it back later in the day and still must be favourites to go 2 up in the series.Out of interest was there anything re field placement etc you think Clarke should have done better? Just that you seem to blame Clarke as much if not more than the bowlers for lack of wickets.Well played Shiv again. Also thanks to RO,J2,Meety,ZB for responses re the KP/IPL thread. Either IPL isn't as important in other countries or we are all jealous of the tournament

soumya
on April 18, 2012, 8:35 GMT

why d heck it happens to west indies the three players bravo, chanders deonariene are good players of spin so they got runs. if u r playing a turning track (homeadvantage) then play batsmen who can play spin and also play two spinners

Ben
on April 18, 2012, 8:27 GMT

Well played Lyon...I did think if he couldn't get wickets here with Warner and Hussey getting one each it would look pretty poor..Pattison is beginning to look Harmison/Johnson-esque...dangerous on his day...SA do not have the best bowling attack...they have the best fast bowling attack...on paper..they won't need a spinner in England though..good point before about over reliance on Hussey (from the real RandyOz?)..if Hussey AND Clarke don't fire in England next year Oz will be in a lot of trouble...well fought the WI esp Denarine...thought he started too slow but he came good..

Harry
on April 18, 2012, 8:07 GMT

@Front-Foot-Lunge , Is that the same English bowling lineup that led England to a series loss when last in the West indies?

Andrew
on April 18, 2012, 8:04 GMT

@Front-Foot-Lunge - comparisons between Lyon & Swann hey? Their averages & S/R & E/R are almost identical, given Lyon has played more than 25% of the tests that Swann has, it's a fair sample size to draw comparisons!

A
on April 18, 2012, 7:44 GMT

MY granny could get sideways turn on that wicket. Perhaps we could get her an Aussie citizenship and draft her in as an emergency measure?

Calvin
on April 18, 2012, 7:37 GMT

People are marvelling at the turnaround nature of RandyOz's comments but I think that RandyOz and Randy0z might be two different people, with capital O and 0 (zero) being different characters. Anyway, this pitch appears to be one of those that levels teams, rewarding those who tighten up/knuckle down with their game more than normal with both bat and ball as the ball fails to come onto bat with typical speed and bounce. Right now, I absolutely cannot predict what will happen over the next two days - meaning it's even more unpredictable than it usually is for a test match.

kieran
on April 18, 2012, 6:44 GMT

@ Massive_Allan_Border_Fan; yep, one minute getting my toast & all of a sudden...they were gone! Even though he had a quiet summer, I personlly haven't doubted Lyons ability, but then he is from NSW like me!

kieran
on April 18, 2012, 6:39 GMT

@ Peter Walcott; having watched Pattinson over the summer I would agree that he can be erratic at times (though how many 21yr old quicks consistently hit their line & length?). But he also bowled some very tight & aggressive spells in the high 140's. He's got bucket loads of potential, though personally I'm more excited by Starc & Cummins.

Heath
on April 18, 2012, 6:26 GMT

A lot of people are criticising the batting, however, I think it's been dour and appropriate. The ball was turning on the first day.

j
on April 18, 2012, 6:19 GMT

"Posted by Randy0Z on (April 17 2012, 16:24 PM GMT)
it's a poor show when we have to rely on Michael Hussey to get the breakthrough, shows that Clarke is running out of ideas and has little faith in our front line bowlers. The superior bowling attacks of SA & Eng would be ripping through this WI batting line-up no problem. Definitely 2 evenly matched teams here."
--------------------------------------------------------
A glimmer of sunlight through the clouds..more reality like this from you Randy would be great...Lyon taking tale end wickets and once again proving he can't get top order batsmen out: shall i start a comparison with Swann or save you the pain...I'll be nice...

Luke
on April 18, 2012, 6:01 GMT

Finding it quite amusing to read comments about Aus being poor cos they are not dominating. These pitches make for hard, grinding days of cricket, and the WI are lot better than they are given credit for. In 18 months time we'll see who is no 1 in the world. By the amount of trash talk about Aus bowlers from Poms on here, it sound a little paranoid!

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 5:48 GMT

Gayle, Samuels, Narain and Bravo are in IPL. Sarwan is playing in County cricket. Suleiman Benn (picked up 9 wickets against Barbados, and MoM) is kept out of the playing XI. Throw all of them into the XI - West Indies will be a much stronger side.

Narain and Benn are quality spin bowlers. Samuels and Gayle are handy spinners. Sarwan can bowl some leg-spin, and Bravo has been bowling at 140+ kmph in IPL.

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 5:03 GMT

WI is showing more often that they can resist. But that is not happening enough to inspire a win. It is still the 'almost there' kind of scenarios that have been the story of WI play. Once again in this Test the batting began at #4 and ended once the Immovable Object aka Chanderpaul was gone. But I do feel that 'Chandercrawl' should be batting with more aggressive intent on the whole so that men like Darren Sammy do not need to try to lift the pace up and take undue risks in the process. Although not guilty in this Test, Chanderpaul has been overdoing caution of late and while he ends up with a decent score and all praise for his 'Test batting' and resistance the question is whether it has all been not a mixed blessing for the WI. They need to build a strategygy around his defence so that they dont get bogged down to much and lose opportunities to create winning situations.

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 4:22 GMT

Yet they say..he is bad..chanderpaul the master of test cricket..i would say he is the best..better than anyone in the history of test cricket...no one has played such good innings with such situations and further with the low down order.....anyone can bat and win a match but when it comes to saving an unimaginable you can turn into chanders.....love from Sri Lanka

Marcio
on April 18, 2012, 3:48 GMT

A real struggle for both batsmen bowlers on this surface. Good on WI for making a good fist of it. Looked like theycould take the lead at one stage. Still. It will be v difficult for them to win with even a small deficit. Not surprised to see Pattinson struggle on this surface. Tall fast bowlers don't go well on pitches like this. Harris would have beenmuch better value. Good to see Lyon get wickets. He hasn't bowled badly, just not done enough to take wickets.

Harsh
on April 18, 2012, 3:07 GMT

One of the most enthralling of finishes reminding you of a n enthralling climax of a Hollywood thriller with a series of twists and turns.Chris Gayle's blistering assault of sixes was simply breathtaking.Proves the unique quality of T-20 or IPL cricket.A.B. Devilliers improvised strokes are a testimony to this.In the modern game with so much innovation and experience a run rate of over 13 run sin the last 5 overs is quite attainable while in previous years of almost looked impossible.

John
on April 18, 2012, 2:46 GMT

I guess that could be called a "decisive spell" from Lyon. All results are theoretically possible but it's hard to see WI winning from here, after looking a decent chance when I woke up early this morning and they were 4/230. Even if Australia collapse, their likely first innings lead should be enough to see them home, unless we see some actual grit and determination from the WI top order for a change.

John
on April 18, 2012, 2:42 GMT

@RandyOZ on (April 17 2012, 22:00 PM GMT), "How pedestrian does Pattinson make Finn look!". Um, not at all it would appear. I'm not quite sure which aspect(s) of their bowling you're comparing but just looking at speeds alone, I see one delivery above 140 from Pattinson in his 10 overs here while Finn's first 10 overs in SL's first innings at Columnbo contained 26. That's not too far short of half the deliveries. Pattinson's top speed here was 140.4 while Finn's there was 146.2. If you're using some other measure then I'd be happy to hear what it is because, if we're talking speed alone, you seem to be ignoring facts, as is your usual wont.

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 2:40 GMT

i thought i saw england decimated by spin bowling recently.....not the dominant force some would have us believe at all.....

Hector
on April 18, 2012, 2:38 GMT

Yep, Lyon has bowled well. Even Beer has been unlucky not to have 3 to 4 wickets against his name. I think the standout performance of the day should go to Matty Wade. His keeping on this dog of a wicket has been outstanding. You could safely add 20 to 30 runs on to his batting total for the runs he saved in byes. There is no way Haddin would have produced that stumping either....... If Wade can adjust his batting to this level, he will be just about as valuable as Gilchrist. That is, Slightly better keeper but not quite as good as batsman. The use of Pattinson and Hilfy has been a bit ordinary.....not helping them at all. I reckon the ball looses 20 kms an hour when it lands...sits on the surface...while having a coffee break ....and then putts the rest of the way to the batsman like an old Vauxhall Victor. No, I'm not impressed with this wicket.....it's a shocker!!!

sandesh
on April 18, 2012, 1:44 GMT

The evening collapse of five for 19 in 12 overs was another example of West Indies not being able to sustain a performance for long enough to take control.

Till such examples could not be solved, we can't say there is change is west-indian team.... i am too dis-satisfied with the performance. Till when shiv. should resist the west-indian. Please do something..

sunil
on April 18, 2012, 1:34 GMT

I THINK WEST INDIES SHOULD QUIT TEST CRICKET WHEN SHIV RETIRES, CAUSE IF YOU CAN'T BAT IN YOUR OWN CONDITIONS THEN YOU WOULD FAIL IN AUS, ENG, ETC!!...THIS IS EMBARASSING, THANK GOD FOR SHIV!!

rob
on April 18, 2012, 1:19 GMT

Check out Chanderpauls home record V Australia if you get the time. Absolutely amazing !! Bradmanesque even. The man thrives on grinding Aussie bowlers into the dust. .. he has been a major thorn in our side for a long time and I don't see any chance of it changing soon. .. I dips me lid to him and feel it's a real pity he didn't get the 100, he certainly deserved it. (101 would have been a nice number).. Once again, a pretty intense days play overall. ... the crowds are getting some value for money in this series.

fhfgdgfg
on April 18, 2012, 1:12 GMT

WI still underperformed for home pitch. They should be scoring 400+. This contest will expose WI CB's weakness like not being able to keep around Gayle or Sunil Narine. 5 lbws in one inning?? The team does not know how to bat.

George
on April 18, 2012, 0:42 GMT

Windies remember what happened last test? One period of irresponsible batting will always turn the table. Well done to the Aussies for always being able to change the course of a series with one passage of play. I can say they never lost that ability even with the departures of Warne, McGrath, Lee ect

Ian
on April 18, 2012, 0:40 GMT

RandyOz just sums up the false hope of his peers, I don`t quite know where Finn fits into it, I`ve been glued to all this series so far and one of our own bowlers hasn`t even figured in my head once. 2 very evenly matched sides, one just lacks ability to breathe collectively as a team.

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 0:38 GMT

I can assure you Gayle may not have as much "passion, heart desire & all that stuff everybody is so crazy about as Sammy But what really matters is that when Gayle tries to hit the ball over the boundary it normally goes for six. I would advise Sammy to be smart & not let ppl full fill his head with rubbish. he may have been given Gayle's captaincy but he cant replace CHG or bat as well as him even in his wildest dreams. Sammy you need to hit the nets & let Roach & Fidel & Bishoo teach you a thing or 2 about batting.

Andrew
on April 18, 2012, 0:38 GMT

@HatsforBats - well said. A big shout at to all the Lyon knockers! LOL! Whilst I won't say that Lyon is a better spinner than Swann, however, atm Swann's ave & S/R is similar to Lyon's. It's interesting though, Swann was bagged by a lot of commentators during the UAE series & even into the 1st Test v SL, however, he hung in there tweaked aspects of his game & the wickets came. Lyon, who is younger has been bagged from pillar to post, a crescendo after the 1st test v WIndies, has adjusted & taken good wickets in a 5for. Well done Lyon, maybe the sage words of Gibbs helped? Or maybe Lyon is a lot better than what people give him credit for.
== == ==
Before I forget, well done WIndies, dissappointing end of the day, however, I thought they would struggle to reach 200. I thought if they lost Chanders early, they'd struggle to reach the follow on. Well done The Chanders & Deonarine, very gritty stuff. The WIndies need to be ahead but they are close enuff if they are good enuff! (Lawryism??)

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 0:37 GMT

31 overs have already been lost to bad light and rain. That is a session of play or 10 overs a day so far. Australia could muster a 250 run lead tomorrow, declare and bowl out the west Indies a second time on the 5th day. Lyon could be eyeing for 10 wickets in the match if he repeats his 1st innings performance. He could get a career best 6 wicket haul. WI desperately need the experienced Gayle, Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo in the side. These players should choose country before money and not the other way around. Clarke still has to use his captaincy tricks up his sleeve being mindful that 20 overs could be lost to rain or bad light on the final 2 days.

Dummy4
on April 18, 2012, 0:00 GMT

@Joshua Johnson... Make no mistake, Lyon still can't bowl. It's just that the West Indies bat worse than he bowls. Wait until the next tour. The West Indies have a habit of making every bowler look top flight.

Rishi
on April 17, 2012, 23:54 GMT

I am loving this series between AUS vs WI. Once you think that day is getting boring, something happens (like Lyon's five for) and match turns around by 180 degrees, and you glued to your TV or computer/internet again. Lets see what happens in remaining days of this interesting match.

Michael
on April 17, 2012, 23:54 GMT

That was an intriguing day's play. Port of Spain seems to be right next door to Galle or Colombo this year. The next two days should be rivetting. It was a pity Deonarine could not convert, and certainly his dismissal seemed to set off an epidemic. Collapses really are a part of virtually every West Indian innings- Of course it would help if Sammy used his brain for an over... Clarke is a very interesting tactician.

Rohan
on April 17, 2012, 23:53 GMT

Spot on vivGilchrist, absolutely spot on! It's ok though, most gen y's don't get test cricket because their brain chemistry requires instant gratification. The skills, subtleties, nuances and tactical thinking so unique to test cricket is way beyond them. What a great series. Both batting and bowling skills are being tested to the full. These are the sort of matches where you find out a lot about your team and where you need to improve. For Australia, a full time fielding coach appears essential. And the top order batting will not be up to SA or England if there is not significant improvement. For WI, despite what a few disappointed fans with over inflated expectations have posted, the improvement in application, enthusiasm and heart is very obvious from last time Aust played them. Yes they still have issues maintaining concentration throughout days and over games but fans should be proud of their team and show support. It could be worse you guys, you could be Indian fans!

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 23:49 GMT

RandyOz: one good spell doesn't make Lyons an Ajmal... And SA has the best bowling attack anyway. Plus one good Test from Cummins doesn't mean he will amount to anything: he certainly is promising, but will he have the fitness for a long and productive career? Australia of late is great at producing one-hit wonders... the question is whether they have players who can be consistently great. Time will tell!

Balbir
on April 17, 2012, 23:47 GMT

If WI can repeat what Australia did today there is still a fighting chance on the last day if they are given 150 to make.

It sounds unlikely or ridiculous but this cricket.

If not then they join Afghanistan, Bermuda, Canada and Hong Kong category or level of test cricket.

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 23:46 GMT

Having seen Pattinson, I think he is a highly OVER-RATED wild, erractic bowler.
He looked poor in the T20 and worst in the test match.

David
on April 17, 2012, 23:43 GMT

@HatsforBats, I had the same experience. Got up at 5.30am, Australia had only taken one wicket all day, suddenly Gaz has them all bamboozled and Australia are well in front. I've doubted Lyon's abilities (which is atrocious as I'm South Australian) but it seems he does well on every surface OTHER than Australian pitches.

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 23:42 GMT

Did you notice in Roach's dismissal, Wade caught the ball but DID NOT appeal.

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 23:40 GMT

WI have done much better today than expected. Starting at 49 for 3 on a wicket so difficult that the giant Australia could only muster 311 WI were expected to follow-on. Well done lads. This Aus team can be bowled out for 47 again.

Cricinfo I have written eighteen posts and not one have been posted.

kieran
on April 17, 2012, 23:40 GMT

@ Samuel H Johnson, in the batsmen's defence it doesn't appear to be an easy pitch on which to force the pace. There isn't much for the pace bowlers either; I saw Pattinson dig one in only to see it bounce with languid hittability just above waist height before being deposited to the deep. However, no excuses for poor line & length. This average Aus side drew in SA; for a team everyone keeps talking up they sure haven't done much of note these last few years. In my opinion, SA have a lot of work to do to challenge Eng for top spot. I can't wait to see that series.

Matthew
on April 17, 2012, 23:36 GMT

I'd love to be able to see the world through those green and yellow specs of yours randy! This is two very average attacks against very average batsmen (except Chanderpaul, Hussey and Clarke)

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 23:16 GMT

@RandyOZ, Lyon is not even a half-decent offspinner, and shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Ajmal. The person 2nd to Ajmal is Sunil Narine, and he hasn't even played an international test match as yet. He is only 23, and has the potential to be greater than Ajmal. Look out for him on WI tour to England. As for Lyon, he dismissed a weak WI tail on his way to a 5 wicket haul. Premature is the optimism of an OZ. But then again, since the retirement of Warne and McGill, you guys have been grasping at straws in the spin department. lol....

Ali
on April 17, 2012, 23:15 GMT

Lyon was lucky to be bowling at the time....

the Sammy and Fidel gave away their wickets... anyone (even me) bowling would have gotten them out...

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 23:08 GMT

It's time to drop Baugh and bring back Ramdin.....nuff said.

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 22:57 GMT

I wonder what Gibson has to about Deonarine .....????????

Sean
on April 17, 2012, 22:50 GMT

@RandyOz "best attack in the world"

Last time you played a good side you got beaten 3 times by an innings and 300+ runs....at home....best attack in the world ahaha!

John
on April 17, 2012, 22:46 GMT

Well played Chanderpaul, showed our sorry batting lineup how it should be done. The rest of the batting line-up even made Lyon look good though!

Sean
on April 17, 2012, 22:46 GMT

Is this the worst aussie team of all time?

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 22:42 GMT

Is it fair to say that this should be no surprised of WI batting collaspe? It did not start after Deonarine got out. It started with the first three outs. Thankfully Bravo, Shiv and Deonarine scored some runs. Australia will only have to worry about Shiv, Bravo, and Deonarine in the final test.
Can WI repeat the Australian bowling performance tomorrow? Again, 175 - 200 runs on the final day will be a lot to make if the match reaches that far.
Deonarine, you could be dropped in the final test because you were out 'stumped'
I do not know why Sammy was shaking his head after he was out. I am wondering if he thought that he was playing a limited over match? where as he should have been playing a captain's innings.
Sammy was Cozier's first choice so he should deal with it. You recommended him as captain.

Some people suggests that WI should play Canada, Bermuda, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and so on. Not even Bangladesh, Ireland or Scotland.

Fans, this is no joke anymore. Help needed badly

Ross
on April 17, 2012, 22:42 GMT

well bowled gary! That's a massive change of heart in only 6 hours RandyOZ. Australian cricket has so many fair-weather friends

Rishi
on April 17, 2012, 22:35 GMT

WI sufferred from Commentator curse, as soon as Lyon came in to bowl a commentatot said this is the least penetrative spinner Aus had produced in a while and the 1st ball to Deo was wicket and then WI batsmen break loose after that......hope we get back Gayle and Simmons at the top, Sarwan in the middle and ramdin for the Eng tour....some wishful thinkin.......congrats to Gayle on those smokin 5 consecutive 6's although one broke somebody nose.

Matthew
on April 17, 2012, 22:35 GMT

Clarke will be the happier captain after that late collapse by the Windies but Shiv and Deonarine fought well. At 100-4 I thought Windies would be out for under 200 considering the slowness of the pitch and the fact that the Windies batting line-up doesn't always handle pressure well, but Shiv and Narsingh Deonarine did a good job at getting Sammy's boys anywhere near the Aussies. The late collapse took some gloss of proceedings of course but hopefully Baugh and Edwards can add a few runs to inch the Windies a little closer tomorrow morning. Sammy was awful and I don't know if he warrants a place either as an all-rounder or a captain if Windies lose this test. But who else is there to lead this team? Shiv never liked being skipper, and others with leadership experience are not part of the set-up at the moment...

Daniel
on April 17, 2012, 22:29 GMT

Again the West Indies batting makes the Australian bowling line up look good. Lets wait till a team with class such as South Africa and England show the real side of this bowling attack?

Randolph
on April 17, 2012, 22:05 GMT

Incredible how some people write off Lyon so easily. Beer is clearly not up to it and we should've gone with Starc or NCN. Lyon could easily run through this attack again. Inspired move by Clarke to bring Hussey on! Hands down the best cpatain going around. Looking forward to a big second innings Pup centruy!

Basil
on April 17, 2012, 22:01 GMT

Wow! Look at all the early comments criticizing the Aussies. People with T20 attention spans should not comment on Tests.

Randolph
on April 17, 2012, 22:00 GMT

Brilliant bowling here from Lyon. Second only to Ajmal. When Cummins is back this will easily be the best attack in the world! How pedestrian does Pattinson make Finn look!

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 22:00 GMT

Most of the bowling in this test is ordinary (except Lyon and Shillingford) but the negative aproach of most of the batsmen on both teams make it look so difficult. The key is a lack of confidence of most of the batsmen in this test. As for captain Sammy, poor decision aplenty - amateur review selection, failure to attack Aussie tailenders, poor batting - may add up to his last stint on the team. Also Windies top order leaves much to be desired. Also the pace bowlers can't seem to bowl a propor consistent line and length. I thought Windies were turning the corner (based on the Asian sub-continent tour), but it looks premature. Management has to make some hard decisions before going to England otherwise, this Windies team will be embarrassed. This is the fruit of a Windies Board that has neglected to use that vast experience of former greats in all areas of Windies cricket. My assessment is that both of these teams are a good way from challenging England and South Africa as yet.

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 21:27 GMT

That's funny, I thought I heard some former West Indian player say Lyon couldn't bowl... I love irony.

kieran
on April 17, 2012, 21:06 GMT

Up in the morning and greeted with a gutsy fight back from The Rock That Is Shiv and The Fresh Prince of Trinidad...a bit of toast and a coffee later, and Lyon has taken 4/11. A good end to a frustrating day for Aus. A frustrating end to a good day for WI. What a series!

MIke
on April 17, 2012, 21:02 GMT

Its just a question of when the collapse will occur..WI have gone nowhere..Sammy should not be captain..ridiculous batting..I was hoping WI had turned a corner..! Silly me..same ol same ol..still no Gayle??!! This team is a joke!!

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 19:35 GMT

Why has Clarke been persisting with Beer & Lyon?....I know there's some turn in the pitch, but they are both limited bowlers, surely Clarke would be better served giving Hilf & Pattinson some short fiery bursts, maybe rotating the spinners from one end.....Re. Beer, I still think his initial selection against Eng was based on a miscommunication from Andrew Hilditch....He said to the barman at the Adelaide oval 'Christ we're getting stuffed by the poms, I need a drink....Mines a beer' only for the other selectors to think him saying '........I need to think....yes! Michael Beer'....lol

Go Narsingh - Marlon Samuels would have been back in the dressing room as soon as he walked out.

John
on April 17, 2012, 16:24 GMT

it's a poor show when we have to rely on Michael Hussey to get the breakthrough, shows that Clarke is running out of ideas and has little faith in our front line bowlers. The superior bowling attacks of SA & Eng would be ripping through this WI batting line-up no problem.
Definitely 2 evenly matched teams here.

No featured comments at the moment.

John
on April 17, 2012, 16:24 GMT

it's a poor show when we have to rely on Michael Hussey to get the breakthrough, shows that Clarke is running out of ideas and has little faith in our front line bowlers. The superior bowling attacks of SA & Eng would be ripping through this WI batting line-up no problem.
Definitely 2 evenly matched teams here.

Vick
on April 17, 2012, 17:52 GMT

Go Narsingh - Marlon Samuels would have been back in the dressing room as soon as he walked out.

Why has Clarke been persisting with Beer & Lyon?....I know there's some turn in the pitch, but they are both limited bowlers, surely Clarke would be better served giving Hilf & Pattinson some short fiery bursts, maybe rotating the spinners from one end.....Re. Beer, I still think his initial selection against Eng was based on a miscommunication from Andrew Hilditch....He said to the barman at the Adelaide oval 'Christ we're getting stuffed by the poms, I need a drink....Mines a beer' only for the other selectors to think him saying '........I need to think....yes! Michael Beer'....lol

MIke
on April 17, 2012, 21:02 GMT

Its just a question of when the collapse will occur..WI have gone nowhere..Sammy should not be captain..ridiculous batting..I was hoping WI had turned a corner..! Silly me..same ol same ol..still no Gayle??!! This team is a joke!!

kieran
on April 17, 2012, 21:06 GMT

Up in the morning and greeted with a gutsy fight back from The Rock That Is Shiv and The Fresh Prince of Trinidad...a bit of toast and a coffee later, and Lyon has taken 4/11. A good end to a frustrating day for Aus. A frustrating end to a good day for WI. What a series!

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 21:27 GMT

That's funny, I thought I heard some former West Indian player say Lyon couldn't bowl... I love irony.

Dummy4
on April 17, 2012, 22:00 GMT

Most of the bowling in this test is ordinary (except Lyon and Shillingford) but the negative aproach of most of the batsmen on both teams make it look so difficult. The key is a lack of confidence of most of the batsmen in this test. As for captain Sammy, poor decision aplenty - amateur review selection, failure to attack Aussie tailenders, poor batting - may add up to his last stint on the team. Also Windies top order leaves much to be desired. Also the pace bowlers can't seem to bowl a propor consistent line and length. I thought Windies were turning the corner (based on the Asian sub-continent tour), but it looks premature. Management has to make some hard decisions before going to England otherwise, this Windies team will be embarrassed. This is the fruit of a Windies Board that has neglected to use that vast experience of former greats in all areas of Windies cricket. My assessment is that both of these teams are a good way from challenging England and South Africa as yet.

Randolph
on April 17, 2012, 22:00 GMT

Brilliant bowling here from Lyon. Second only to Ajmal. When Cummins is back this will easily be the best attack in the world! How pedestrian does Pattinson make Finn look!

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